Beibut Shumenov to make first title defense in July

By Brett Okamoto

Friday, June 25, 2010 | 1:21 p.m.

Las Vegas-based boxer Beibut Shumenov has agreed to make his first WBA light-heavyweight title defense against Ukrainian challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov on July 23 in Lemoore, Calif.

The bout is scheduled to headline an edition of the ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights" series.

In his first Las Vegas fight, Shumenov (9-1, 6 KO) claimed the WBA title with a narrow split decision win over Gabriel Campillo in January at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel.

In addition to winning the belt, the win also avenged the only loss on Shumenov's professional career. He had dropped a majority decision to Campillo in 2009.

The defending champ will face arguably his toughest challenge yet in the 31-year-old Uzelkov (22-0, 14 KO). Uzelkov is coming off back-to-back TKO wins. The two fighters have faced only one common opponent, Campillo, who Uzelkov knocked out in 2007.

"These are the type of challenges that definitely take you to the next level," said Shumenov's promoter Dan Goossen in a released statement. "It won't be easy, but we believe Beibut is destined to do special things in boxing."

Shumenov, who signed with Goossen in May, lives and trains in Las Vegas under Kevin Barry. He also is the co-owner of KZ Event Productions, a promotion he started with his brother.

According to Shumenov, signing with Goossen Tutor Promotions has allowed him to focus more on fight preparations and less on the challenge of promoting his career.

"I've been able to concentrate 100 percent on training for the first time in my career," Shumenov said. "I've been training hard with Kevin, just focusing on improving all aspects of my arsenal.

"(July 23) is going to be a night of firsts for me — first WBA title defense, first time fighting on ESPN and first fight without having to worry about promoting."

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected].